Boy dies after being stricken while swimming in Milford pool

Tuesday

Jul 8, 2014 at 2:20 PMJul 8, 2014 at 5:01 PM

By Donna Boynton TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

MILFORD — Alexander Cora was an experienced swimmer at just 10 years old. He was a boy who loved to read and to play video games; a boy who kept a Bible by his bedside and said his prayers every night.

He loved to read, he loved the color green, and he loved his older brother Anthony.

Yet despite everything that everyone knew about Alex, no one knew about the undiagnosed medical condition that ultimately led to his death.

Alexander, known as "Alex," died Monday night at UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus in Worcester after he suffered a medical emergency while swimming at Fino Pool Sunday.

"He died doing his favorite thing," said Amy Kurzontkowski of Milford, a family friend and mother of Alex's cousins.

Ms. Kurzontkowski said the family has learned that Alex had an undiagnosed heart condition that was not detected in any previous medical exams.

"He was taking a swim test to earn the right to go in to the deep end (of the pool)," Ms. Kurzontkowski said. "The doctors have told us he may have had a stroke and a seizure before he went into cardiac arrest."

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

Alex lived in Blackstone with his older brother Anthony, 13; his mother, Laura Briggs; and his mother's fiancÚ, Justin Vestute. Alex's biological father and other siblings live in New York.

On Sunday, Alex was visiting his grandmother in Milford and she took him to Fino Pool, at 80 Granite St. He was stricken during a swimming test that was being supervised by a lifeguard.

"As part of the swimming test, he had to swim from one end of the pool to the other. He got about half the distance, stopped, stood up, took a breath and waved to the lifeguard. He began to swim again and the lifeguard noticed he was in distress," said Police Chief Thomas O'Laughlin. "The lifeguard entered the pool, brought him out, cleared his airway and began performing CPR."

The Fire Department and arriving police officers took over CPR efforts and were able to regain a pulse, the chief said. Alex was taken to Milford Regional Medical Center, where he was stabilized before being transferred to UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus.

Ms. Kurzontkowski said the family is struggling to come to terms with Alex's sudden death, and she is taking care of Anthony, Alex's 13-year-old brother, while the family is making the arrangements. The family has been overwhelmed by and is thankful for the community support, but also grateful to the lifeguard, first responders and medical personnel who helped to save Alex.

Anthony wants to make sure his little brother gets the proper burial that he deserves, but most importantly, wants to make sure Alex is remembered as a fun, happy little boy.

Anthony wrote an emotional letter to, and about, his little brother.

"He always liked to play video games. When he was 5, I taught him how to play his first video game — Webkinz," wrote Anthony. "He always liked everything to do with the Catholic religion. He kept a Bible on his bedside table and prays every night. He is extremely loving and caring."

The letter continued, "He could never fail to put a smile on your face. His favorite color was green and he couldn't get enough of reading class. He loved to swim.

So when you talk about Alex, talk about the innocent, funny, goofy, loving, selfless, Catholic boy that I know and love as my brother," Anthony wrote.

Ms. Kurzontkowski has established a Go Fund Me website to assist the family with the cost of the burial and other expenses they may incur at this time. Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/b6ow74.

Contact Donna Boynton at Donna.Boynton@telegram.com or follow her on Twitter @DonnaBoyntonTG